Judge says wrist not healed enough to swing bat

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has begun to throw very lightly but can’t swing a bat yet because his broken right wrist hasn’t healed enough, he told reporters.

FILE PHOTO: Jul 26, 2018; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Aaron Judge (99) reacts after being hit by a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Judge said Sunday that he continues to experience “pain and discomfort” and is unsure when he can start hitting again. He couldn’t say if he’d miss only the three weeks the team had estimated.

“I don’t want to put a number on it yet,” he said. “It’s tough to say but as far as I know with the trainers, we’re right on track.”

Judge was injured on July 26 when a fastball hit his wrist in the first inning of a game against Kansas City. At the time, the team announced he had sustained a chip fracture of his ulnar styloid bone, but no surgery was recommended. The club’s brief statement concluded with, “The Yankees approximate a three-week time period before Judge can swing a bat in a game situation.”

Judge, 26, is batting .285 with 26 homers and 61 RBIs in 99 games this season. He said Sunday it’s difficult not playing, but he has to wait for the time to run its course.

“I know it’s still fractured; it’s not healed yet,” Judge said. “It’s going to take a while for that to heal up, but right now some of the range of motion is coming back. Now, it’s just getting the strength back — that’s the biggest thing.”

Manager Aaron Boone told reporters the team hopes Judge will be able to swing a bat within the next few days while they visit Chicago for a series against the White Sox.

“Sounds like it’s ultimately a pain-tolerance thing,” Boone said. “Don’t think it’s something that he’s going to hurt more. But it is a chip in there. It’s a broken wrist, so you’ve got to get it right. The pain will kind of tell you that.

“Whether that’s tomorrow or the next day (when Judge can swing), they just want to make sure it’s a pain-free situation in that one movement.”

The Yankees need Judge’s production back in the lineup. Boston swept a crucial four-game series between the clubs over the weekend, sending the Yankees to 9 1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the National League East. That’s the biggest lead in any division in the major leagues. The Yankees have lost five in a row and are 4-6 in their last 10 games.